UNIT 1 EXPLORATION AND COLONIZATION The First Americans

Unit Overview

The First Americans  The first people in the US came following food; nomadic people  Theories about how people arrived include- crossing a land bridge, the Bering Strait; traveling by small boats  These groups settled and became known as Native Americans or Indians in what is today the Americas

First Settlers Arrive

South American Natives  Three major groups in South America  Mayan Empire AD located on the Yucatan Peninsula; present day Mexico  Aztec Empire AD located Valley of Mexico; Mexico City  Inca Empire AD 1440s Peru in the Andes Mountains; Ecuador to northern Chile

South American Natives continued…  Mayans  Largest city Tikal but had many city-states linked by trade  Traded salt, flint, honey and cacao beans (chocolate)  Agricultural society that grew maize, beans, and squash  Used an advance number system and 365 day calendar

South American Natives continued…  Aztec  Tenochtitlan largest city; built canals and roadways  Agricultural society  Wealthy kingdom with jewelry and art

South American Natives continued…  Incans  Cuzco capital city; suspension bridges  Agricultural society; llamas  Known for medicine and terraces

North American Natives  Native American that lived in North America were composed of numerous, distinct tribes and bands  Famous groups of North American Natives-  Eastern Woodlands  Plains  Southwestern

Native American Tribes

Eastern Woodland Natives  Woodlands natives lived in the eastern part of the United States  Woodlands natives hunted, gathered, fished and farmed  Hunted- deer, bear, squirrels, raccoon  Farmed- tobacco, beans, squash, sweet potatoes  Built wooden homes/ cabins  Major tribes included- Iroquois and the Algonquians

Eastern Woodland Natives

Plains Natives  Plains natives lived in the Central part of the United States on the “plains”  Nomadic people  Moved following the buffalo  Buffalo provided food, clothes and shelter  All parts of the buffalo were used  Major tribes included Dakota, Cheyenne and Sioux

Plains Natives

Southwestern Natives  Southwestern Natives lived in Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado  Known for their jewelry and sculptures (turquoise and silver)  Agricultural based  Major tribes included Apache, Hopi, Navajo and Pueblo

Southwestern Natives